James Franklin downplays importance of hyping up Big Ten during College Football Playoff

James Franklin didn’t want to go “rah-rah” for the Big Ten following Penn State’s College Football Playoff quarterfinal win.

That was coupled with Michigan’s win over Alabama and Illinois beating South Carolina in their respective bowl games. Overall, it was a good day for the Big Ten.

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But Franklin was more focused on his Nittany Lions advancing to the semifinals and improving to 13-2 this season.

“Obviously, we want to represent the Big Ten, and that’s important to us,” Franklin said postgame. “But ultimately, I’m worried about Penn State. I’m worried about Tyler Warren and Zakee [Wheatley] and Penn State and the guys in that locker room. I want them to have an unbelievable college experience. I want them to go on and have a chance to reach their dreams. That’s my focus. I got respect for coaching in the SEC because I’ve been there. Take a lot of pride in representing the Big Ten. 

“But ultimately, I’m worried about these guys, the guys in that locker room; our fans; the lettermen; Pat Kraft, my boss; Neeli Bendapudi, my boss’ boss; David Kleppinger, my boss’ boss’ boss. He’s chairman of the board. Then sometimes it feels like all the media and people on blogs, I feel like I work for them sometimes, too. I don’t spend a whole lot of time on that. I’m focused on our guys.”

Franklin did note that the Big Ten gave Penn State plenty of tests for big opportunities though.

“Then in terms of being tested, yeah, I think the Big Ten, you guys have heard me say this a lot. I’ve been a head coach in the SEC. I’ve been a head coach in the Big Ten,” Franklin said. “I’ve got tremendous respect for both conferences. I think I have a perspective that most people don’t- have, right? 

“But I think the Big Ten has prepared our guys. We opened the season at West Virginia. Had a tough Big Ten season. Had to overcome adversity and challenges from the top to the bottom of the conference. I think those things are valuable.”

Penn State now awaits the winner of Notre Dame and Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. The winner of that game will take on the Nittany Lions in the CFP semifinals at the Orange Bowl on January 9th.